Aquatic motor mounting system

ABSTRACT

An aquatic motor mounting system enables the adjustment of a boat motor with respect to its hull. The motor is attached to swivel mount that enables the motor to rotate about a first axis and pivot about a second axis generally perpendicular to the first. The system uses tongue and groove concepts to provide strength and durability while enabling the adjustment of the motor.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to motorized boat systems, and more specifically, to personal motor craft systems where the performance and maintenance thereof is critical.

2. Description of Related Art

Motorized boat systems are well known in the art and are effective means to propel a hull across the surface of a body of water. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a conventional outboard motorboat system 101 having a motor 105 attached to the transom 107 of a boat hull 103. During use, the motor 105 is below the water level and displaces water to propel the hull 103 over a body of water. The trim of the motor 105 is altered by rotating thereabout shafts 201 and 205 via actuator 203.

One of the problems commonly associated with system 101 is its limited efficiency. For example, commonly boats have a single motor mount in a fixed position with respect to the hull. The performance of the motor is directly linked to its position with respect to the center of gravity of the boat and the surface of the water in which it functions. With a single mounting location, the ability to adjust the motor with respect to the hull does not exist through conventional means.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of motorized boat systems, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a common outboard motorboat system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the common motor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an upper-rear perspective view of an aquatic motor mounting system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a lower-front perspective view of the system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 an upper-front perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a front-side perspective of the system of FIG. 3 in use; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the system of FIG. 3.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional outboard motorboat systems. Specifically, the invention of the present application allows for adjustment of the motor with respect to the hull. In addition, the system of the present application eliminated the conventional means of mounting a motor to a hull, namely the jack plate and transom plate. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 3 depicts an upper-rear perspective view of an aquatic motor mounting system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. FIG. 4 depicts a lower front perspective view of the system of FIG. 3, both figures will be referred to while describing the system and are of the same embodiment. It will be appreciated that system 301 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional outboard motorboat systems.

In the contemplated embodiment, system 301 includes a first swivel plate 313 and a second swivel plate 311 attached to a swivel mount 319 via bolt 335 and configured to all the swivel mount 311 to rotate 321 with respect to the first swivel plate 313 and second swivel plate 311 about the axis of the bolt 335. The system 301 further includes a motor housing 303 attached to the swivel mount 319.

The rotation 321 is achieved by a hydraulic cylinder 337 attached to the swivel mount 319 at the back end and to a ram back 315 via shaft 405, the ram back 315 is attached to the swivel plates 311, 313.

The motion of the hydraulic cylinder 337 caused the cylinder to move with respect to the swivel plates 311, 313 and the wear of this motion is protected by slide plates 317.

The first swivel plate 313 and the second swivel plate 311 are also attached via an upper support plate 309 and a lower support plate 407 in the current embodiment to enhance the strength thereof.

The first swivel plate 313 is attached to the hull of a boat via a first mounting bracket 305 via fasteners. The second swivel plate 311 is attached to the hull of a boat via a second mounting bracket 307 via fasteners. The first mounting bracket 305 and second mounting bracket 307 are attached to the hull by fasteners 329, 331, 333 and 409.

The first mounting bracket 305 includes slots 343 and 341 that allow the first swivel plate 313 to slide 325 with respect to the first mounting bracket 305. The second mounting bracket 307 has similar slots that enable the second swivel plate 311 to slide 323 with respect to thereto. The swivel plates 311, 313 include holes 411 passing therethrough to enables the placement of the fasteners to hold the swivel plates 311, 313 to the mounting brackets 305, 307.

The first mounting bracket 305 and second mounting bracket 307 being attached by a jacking plate 345 at the bottom of each via bolts 339 and 403 and pin 401.

Referring now to FIG. 5; to further provide strength to the system 301 where the ram back 315 attaches to the swivel plates 311, 313 each swivel plate 311, 313 has a groove 501 therein where the edge 503 of the ram back 315 rests in the groove 501. Similarly, each mounting bracket 307, 307 have a ridge 5074 configured to rest in a longitudinal groove 505 in each swivel plate 311, 313.

It is also contemplated and depicted that the first swivel plate 313 and the second swivel plate 311 at further secured via support pipe 509.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is that motor housing 303 can be attached in such a way with respect to the hull to modify the performance of the boat it is attached to.

It will also be appreciated that the system 301 is configured to provide a strong mount for the motor housing 303 to endure the forces subjected thereto while being positioned to enhance the performance of the boat. Specifically, the grooves with their nesting edges and ridges.

Referring now to FIG. 6 an alternative embodiment of the system 301 is depicted. Embodiment 601 includes an aquatic motor mounting system 603 attached to a motor housing 605 via shaft and bearing 609. Shaft and bearing 609 both securing the motor housing 605 to the mount 603 and enabling rotation 607 about the shaft of shaft and bearing 609.

Referring now to FIG. 7 the embodiment 601 is further depicted. The swivel mount 703 being attached to the swivel plates via pin 719 with access to apply lubrication via port 709. The shaft 701 of shaft bearing 609 is secured to the swivel mount 703 via a first threaded fitting 705 and second threaded fitting 713 and seals 707 and 711 therebetween respectively. The shaft is supported by bearings 717 and threads 715.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed:
 1. An aquatic motor mounting system comprising: at least two swivel plates holding at least one swivel mount out and away from the hull of a boat; and at least one mounting bracket for each of the at least two swivel plates that attach said swivel plates to the hull of a boat; wherein at least one mounting bracket and swivel plate are joined with the aid of a slot and ridge; wherein at least one motor is attached to the at least one swivel mount.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the motor receives at least one degree of motion with respect to the hull via the swivel mound or swivel plates. 